Protest Is Not a Threat, State Must Not Criminalise Dissent: On Liberty and DemocracyA commentary on Indian politics highlights that peaceful protest is not a threat to democracy but an essential safety valve that keeps it alive. Emphasising that maintaining law and order must not come at the cost of liberty, it notes a crucial difference between preventing violence and criminalising dissent. Detaining activists, arresting protesters, and shutting public spaces cannot serve as the default response to political disagreement. While regime change is ultimately decided by the ballot box and voters, peaceful protest remains a constitutional right rather than a government favour, testing how confidently a nation accommodates its critics.BJP MP Lehar Singh Siroya: 'जो Parliament में विश्वास नहीं करते हैं, वो सड़क पर जाते हैं'Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP Lehar Singh Siroya pushed back against allegations from the opposition concerning electoral misconduct and street protests. Addressing questions on Congress's agitation, Siroya stated, "जो Parliament में विश्वास नहीं करते हैं, वो सड़क पर जाते हैं," asserting that elected representatives should raise pressing governance issues like examination paper leaks and education reforms inside the legislature rather than demonstrating on streets. Responding to Congress's vote theft claims, he said, "अगर vote चोरी करें वो दो हज़ार 24 के चुनाव में हमारी सीटें कमाई। अगर हम vote चोरी करते तो हम 400 के पार होते, 240 पर नहीं अटक जाते," pointing out that anti-incumbency led to their reduced seat tally and narrowed margins in Varanasi. Siroya reiterated that senior BJP leadership including Amit Shah remains fully prepared for parliamentary debates, while criticising Congress leadership dynamics.Prakash Raj: 'The Fear Is Evident. What Happened To Your Har Ghar Tiranga Nara?'In an interview with India Today, actor and activist Prakash Raj strongly criticised the detention of student protesters and the restriction on the Tiranga march in Delhi. Questioning the government's actions, Raj said, "The fear is evident. I'm asking Modiji, what happened to your Har Ghar Tiranga Nara? You are the one who started Har Ghar Tiranga Nara, and you will now arrest students, youngsters for going for a march of peaceful protest?" He asserted that protesters are unarmed and exercising their constitutional right to peaceful demonstration following the paths of Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar. Raj challenged the administration over the conduct of the Election Commission and alleged voter deletions, asserting that democratic opposition will persist across the country. Dismissing allegations of instigating anarchy, Raj maintained that his ongoing participation in nationwide protests represents a peaceful, democratic civic duty aimed at holding authorities accountable.'We will bring the regime down': Prakash Raj slams Centre over electoral processActor and activist Prakash Raj addressed the escalating nationwide protests demanding accountability from the Election Commission of India and the central government. Defending the movement against accusations of inciting anarchy, he asserted, "We will do it democratically, regime change." Raj argued that the agitations, which expanded from initial student demonstrations over exam irregularities to broader questions regarding electoral integrity and Special Intensive Revision, now represent a collective citizen movement backed by civil society and farmer organisations like the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. Responding directly to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's public remarks, he maintained that seeking answers through democratic means, constitutional rights, and peaceful protest is the duty of citizens. Furthermore, Raj challenged the ruling government to address public allegations openly rather than suppressing dissenting voices, demanding immediate transparency regarding the electoral machinery.
It's done, bro: Prakash Raj targets PM Modi, Amit Shah with 'regime change' vow
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